Samsung seems to be pretty much the only player in the shrunken market of premium Android tablets – even Google doesn’t appear all that keen on any new Pixel tablet hardware. The Galaxy Tab S line started with a bang as the only tablet option with an AMOLED screen, while the Tab S2 aligned Samsung’s designs more closely with Apple’s iPad Mini and Air. The latest version of the hardware, announced today at Mobile World Congress, seems to be aimed squarely at the 9.7-inch version of the iPad Pro, thanks to a redesigned metal/glass body and a stand-alone “S-Pen” stylus.

The Tab S3 will come only in the 9.7-inch form factor, eschewing the smaller 8-inch options of the last two generations. Samsung is also making 10 and 12-inch versions of the Galaxy Book, the Tab’s more expensive, Windows-powered cousins, but those hoping for a high-end mid-sized tablet will be disappointed. The most striking thing about the new design is that it ditches the polymer rear panel in favor of tempered glass surrounded by an aluminum frame, the same basic design as the Galaxy S smartphone series. The result is an extremely thin but solid-feeling 6.0mm-profile.

That screen is a 4:3 panel, like the S2, with an identical 2048x1536 resolution. But this year’s AMOLED screen has a trick up its sleeve: it’s rated for High Dynamic Range (HDR) video content. The Tab S3 is the first Android tablet to pull this trick – in fact Samsung has had to arrange partnerships with video sources (so far unnamed) to make sure that customers have something to watch on those vibrant new screens. Underneath is a Snapdragon 820 processor (at least in the North American model – international versions may be equipped with Samsung’s Exynos chips), 4GB of RAM, 32GB of storage plus a MicroSD card slot, and an impressive (for a tablet) 5MP/13MP camera setup with LED flash. The fast-charge battery is only 6000mAh, which is a tad more than the Tab S2 but well below the average for a 10-inch tablet – the slim design of the body would seem to necessitate some engineering compromises. Software will be Android 7.0 at launch, and the Tab S3 will come in Wi-Fi and LTE varieties.

Though not officially part of the Note family – which has some rather poor branding since the disastrous launch of the Galaxy Note 7 – the Tab S3 comes with an S-Pen. In a first for Samsung, the stylus is completely separate and does not stow away in a bay inside the tablet’s body. This being the case, it’s longer and thicker, shaped more like a conventional pen than an electronics stylus, and the plastic tip has been replaced by a more forgiving and “natural feeling” rubber one. Like previous S-Pens (and unlike Apple’s similarly-shaped Pencil), this one doesn’t need a battery to operate its 4096-layer touch features. Other extras on the tablet include four distinct speakers, a fingerprint sensor in the Home button, a USB Type-C port, and a premium sold-separately folio keyboard using a POGO pin connection instead of Bluetooth.

Samsung isn’t saying how much the Galaxy Tab S3 will cost. But given the clear market position to rival the iPad Pro, not to mention a leaked price from the UK of 600 pounds, we’d guess that the single 32GB Wi-Fi model will sell for $549.99 or $599.99. At the time of writing there’s no word on a release date, but the tablet will be offered in black and silver color options.

We were given the opportunity to check out the Galaxy Tab S3 in person before its launch. It feels like a natural and luxurious upgrade over the S2 series, with the tempered glass back being immediately noticeable. As you might suspect, the tablet becomes something of a fingerprint magnet as it’s handled (we had to keep microfiber cloths handy to get flattering photos), but there’s no denying that the ultra-thin body and aluminum sides feel good.

It also feels slick, in the “might fall out of your hands” sense and not the “really cool” sense – one journalist nearly dropped the demo unit. However, Samsung seems confident that the tempered glass on both sides won’t be a problem. While the S3 isn’t rated for any kind of impact or water resistance, one demonstrator intentionally dropped the unit onto a tile floor, with no obvious damage resulting. Dramatic, but effective.

The software is Android 7.0 with Samsung’s usual don’t-call-it-TouchWiz interface on top. Samsung has refined its software additions greatly over the last few years, and the demo tablets felt consistently snappy and responsive. In addition to some of the same S-Pen features we’ve seen in the last few Galaxy Note revisions, Samsung is proud to show off its latest version of the Flow app. The custom messaging system can now sync notifications with a Samsung phone for apps like Facebook, Whatsapp, and Viber. In fact all notifications can be mirrored, but interactive functionality through Flow will depend on compatible APIs.

While it’s clear that Samsung put a lot of work into the revised version of the Tab S keyboard, it still felt rather cramped and shallow, as any design trying to fit a full laptop profile into a narrow 10-inch frame would. The combined folio keyboard case and tablet is admirably thin – you might lose it in a bigger bag or purse – and the addition of backlit keys will be a boon to travelers. However, those same travelers might also be more prone to lose the separate S-Pen. Samsung says the choice to go with a full pen-style stylus was made because research showed that users liked to use their tablets for extended periods, at home rather than on the go. Which then leads one to wonder why they’re marketing a mobile keyboard, when surely those same users would just reach for their laptops instead?

The other banner feature of the Galaxy Tab S3, the HDR screen, was less impressive. The video clip shown to us in the demonstration didn’t look anywhere near as vibrant as HDR video on a dedicated LCD television – in fact it simply looked like an overly bright and saturated version of the same clip. Whatever processing tech Samsung is using to get HDR video working on relatively low-power hardware, it seems to have a real issue preserving shadows and contrast from the original content.

With the market for high-end Android tablets seemingly drying up, Samsung will have a tough time selling the Tab S3 at the prices we think they’ll be demanding. That said, payment plans for tablets on carriers might get a few buyers, and Samsung designs tend to go down in street price rather quickly.

Press Release

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.today announced the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 and the Samsung Galaxy Book, stylishly designed tablets with advanced computing technology offering a premium mobile experience. For digital content enthusiasts, the Galaxy Tab S3 delivers superior video and gaming experiences along with versatile usage as a productivity tool, while the Galaxy Book gives professionals enhanced computing power for work and play.

The Galaxy Tab S3 comes with a 9.7-inch Super AMOLED display and the Galaxy Book is offered in a 10.6-inch TFT LCD version and 12-inch Super AMOLED version.

The new tablets unveiled at Mobile World Congress provide premium Galaxy technology including:

Samsung Flow: Samsung Flow makes working on the go seamless. For a safe and secure login, Samsung Flow uses biometric authentication to log-in and can wirelessly tether compatible devices to transfer documents from a mobile device to a tablet. It also syncs message notifications so users never miss an important text message whether they’re using a smartphone or their tablet.

Refined S Pen*: For a natural writing experience, the S Pen has a smaller 0.7mm tip and increased pressure sensitivity. The S Pen also includes convenient features such as Screen Off Memo to quickly jot down notes, PDF Annotation for easy editing and professional-level drawing with Advanced Drawing Tools.

Both tablets deliver on Samsung’s legacy of innovative Galaxy technology including a 13-megapixel rear camera which includes auto focus and a 5-megapixel frontcamera for high-quality photos. The tablets also include expandable storage** and more power efficiency with fast-charge capabilities, supporting up to 12 hours of video playback on the Galaxy Tab S3 and up to 10.5 hours of video playback on the Samsung Book (12-inch). Both devices also support Pogo keyboards with no separate charging or pairing required.

“At Samsung, we are committed to expanding the boundaries of the mobile and computing experience by providing best-in-class products that satisfy mobile users’ diverse needs and demands,” said DJ Koh, President of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “Our new tablet portfolio is built with premium technology that delivers a productive and versatile experience to consumers, designed for users at home, work or on the go.”

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 takes mobile entertainment to the next level providing a cinema-like experience with 4K video playback and a stunning Super AMOLED display. In addition, the Galaxy Tab S3 is the first Samsung tablet to feature quad-stereo speakers tuned by AKG by HARMAN for premium visual and listening experiences. With content partners like Amazon, enjoy instant access to HDR original videos.

Optimized for gaming, the Galaxy Tab S3 includes Vulkan API for superior graphics and Game Launcher for an enhanced user interface and personalized gaming experience, as well as modes like Do Not Disturb for uninterrupted gameplay.

With an enhanced S Pen, the Galaxy Tab S3 allows users to be more productive, creative, and do multiple things at once. The Galaxy Tab S3 is designed to keep users always connected with faster charging and longer battery life.

Samsung Galaxy Book: Enhanced Power and Performance in a 2-in-1 Design

Available in 10.6-inch and 12-inch models, the Samsung Galaxy Book caters to productive on-the-go professionals who are looking for a powerful computing device that isn’t tied to the desktop. The Samsung Galaxy Book is lightweight and has a versatile form factor, easily transforming from a tablet to a notebook.

For enterprise-grade performance, the Samsung Galaxy Book 12-inch is equipped with a 7th Generation Intel® Core™ i5 processor, Dual Core 3.1GHz and the 10.6-inch with an Intel® Core™ m3 processor, Dual core 2.6GHz.

Built on the Windows 10 operating system, the Galaxy Book offers the full desktop Microsoft Office experience for maximum productivity. It also features a keyboard that is larger and more tactile with discernible keys so users can comfortably type just as they would on a traditional computing device.

*All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.

Ehh, I still enjoy using one around the house and for reviewing my photos on the go... But I don't need much for that, or even a 10" display, something accurate is enough. My Nexus 7 is still trucking along...

If it ever dies I'll probably just get an NV Shield or whatever <$300 model ASUS is hawking at the time, they'll probably have a more poorly calibrated display than the N7 but whatever... For reading the 7-8" form factor is more comfortable.

I guess 3:4 at 9" would be nice for reviewing photos tho...

HiroRoshi

We have several and use them everyday.

blakew595

Thus proving again why it's better just to go buy a folding laptop and run remix os

What's up with that obsession of making every back glass? It's the worst possible material for that. Unless the Oneplus 4 stays with a metal back I guess I will have to keep my Nexus 6 another year looking at all the offerings this year...

>The fast-charge battery is only 6000mAh, which is a tad more than the Tab S2 but well below the average for a 10-inch tablet

This battery capacity is quite standard nowadays, especially for a thin tablet like this one, even iPads barely have any bigger ones

Bimmer Ime

can't wait for chrome os to hit tablets

shamatuu

really hope its not that much. if it was 835 sure but 820 in 2017? Come on!

Fitz

I used to love the idea of Android tablets, but after picking up an Acer Chromebook R13, I just don't understand their purpose anymore. The Chromebook is far move productive and offers a great widescreen for media consumption. My portable Android needs are satisfied by my Pixel.

mcdonsco

I don't see why manufacturers don't realize the reason tablet sales are much lower than smartphones is because with the phone that people carry everywhere they go, they want the latest and greatest more than with the tablet that sits on a coffee table or night stand at home most of the time getting used about an hour or two a day at most (for most people). As such, it makes sense that tablets are only really an interest for the average Joe to upgrade if / when something significantly upgraded/updated pops up or if they lose or break theirs etc.

So, OEM's - Just release bi-yearly instead?

I've got an S2 8 and I was looking forward to the S3 as well as hoping maybe they would release an updated Note 8 [tablet] or Tab S 7...either one I would have jumped on...Then they go and release ONLY a 9.7"???

Well, that does it for me...I'm out. I'll keep waiting I guess.

Dinsy Jones

"So, OEM's - Just release bi-yearly instead?"

It's pretty much what they've already done. The Tab S2 was launched in 2015, with just a minor refresh (still under the moniker of Tab S2) in 2016.

Sucks that they're not releasing a 8.0" model, but it must be true that larger phones have eaten the sales of small tablets...

Just reflections off of the lights in the office where we got our briefing.

RadarJammer

I like my 2015 S2 9.7 LTE very much, I use it for gaming and surfing on the commute or wherever I sit. A great complement of my 5.5" mobile.

Yes, android tablet demand is still alive :)

Ihavenewnike

Why be mad at the price. I have long wanted an Android tablet with the specs of a high end phone. Add a S pen to this thing and it sounds like a great buy to me. I'll look at their windows tablet as well.

krummholz

I'd like a 10-12", thin and lightweight tablet with decent detachable keyboard, great screen and good battery life to use for social media, email, web surfing, netflix, kodi, and office365/google apps. I'm willing to drop some cash.

Samsung likely thinks this is a great fit for that, but I can't help thinking I'd get more flexibility and a better user experience with a surface pro.

Vivek Rameses

Looks and sounds interesting. The price however is a little steep for a tablet. Drop it down to $400.

Stephen Lebed

Finally, this is a tablet I can get behind. Definitely getting this when it comes out.

That doesn't make any sense. The Tab S has been getting updates despite the Tab S2 being out for two years...

Ray

I haven't seen a single update to my Tab S2... ever! I just made the assumption that due to the release of the Tab S3, the S2 certainly wont be receiving anything further.

Perhaps my assumption was wrong and maybe we will see future updates??

OrionBeast

ATT will probably sell it for $799
...
...
...
...
2 months later...
...
it'll be selling for $399 in clearance section of various sites like groupon.

Kevin Davis

If it's rumored to be 600.00 pounds, don't you think that after deducting the high cost VAT that the price could be more like US $499.00.

Modest Mind

If Sam decided to bring last year's SOC than they should have at least opted for SD821. Anyway for the price they will be asking, I can only: Keep that expensive jun... I might go for Tab S2 and slap Lineage on it. In this case there is no performance difference btw. S2 and S3 but only a big price difference.

DragoCubed

It's expensive. It has glass on the back. The buttons aren't on screen. We're getting there though!

Jesse Lee

Google was their own worst enemy again with tablets. They had a nice market carved out with the Nexus 7. Instead...they crapped the bed and stopped producing those for a crazy expensive, unnecessary HTC Nexus 9 that nobody bought. It's only dead b/c of idiots in charge of large corporations that obviously didn't earn their jobs by being smart.

Mix

Spent $200 CAD on a Tab S2 for a plane trip and my son uses it.

Who would spend $750+ CAD on something like this? Get a freaking laptop.

Jimk4003

Why did they go for a physical home button on a tablet (a device that can be picked up and used in any orientation), but virtual buttons on the S8 (a phone that will spend much of its life being used in portrait)?

I would've thought virtual buttons would have suited here, if that's the direction Samsung want to take. The home button on the side when in landscape seems unintuitive.

Might be worth dropping the Samsung logo from the front too - it looks a bit odd written sideways when the device is being used with a keyboard.

dabug91

Because Samsung has never known what it's doing with buttons and can't resist an abhorrent amount of non-intuitive button fuckery with every product release.

Jimk4003

Phrase of the day - "non-intuitive button fuckery".

Scholarly work, sir.

Chris Oh

I don't get it. Samsung Chromebook Plus costs $449 with 12.3 inch led touch screen (2400x1600), full size keyboard that flips back, S-pen inserted into the body, and runs Android apps. Why am I spending more on S3 again? If you need more power, Chromebook Pro cost $549 with intel chip. (constantly updating review says snags with Android apps are getting better by day). Even with less battery life, you could buy a USB-C charge battery with the money left over. Am I missing something? "research showed that users liked to use their tablets for extended periods" Yeah...

dabug91

Leave it up to Samsung to release another tablet that makes my $450 64GB Pixel C a total bargain.

Garrett Bridges

I'm still using my Tab S, and I was hoping the S3 would be a good upgrade for me since 'ol S1 is starting to slow down heavily. Unfortunately, I use it most often for reading and that size is an awkward-as-hell grip for one hand. The Tab S 8" fits perfectly in my giant hands, but I don't think even I have big enough hands for this sucker. Sigh.

Any suggestions for an S1-like replacement but with modern specs?

JeffT

You could try putting LineageOS on it... I have Slim6 on my Tab Pro 8.4 and it runs great(ish) ... Obviously a SD800 isn't going to win any races, but it doesn't bog down too much.